Newcastle United is a more likely destination than West Ham or Leicester City for Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby as we enter the final few hours of the summer transfer window, as reported by Super Deporte.
Is the window going to slam shut at St James’ Park?
Or trundle to a close like one of those slow-shutting cupboards you find in Ikea, an underwhelming end to a summer that promised little and delivered even less?
Newcastle have signed just one player all summer.
And the £25 million they invested in Joe Willock – buying the Arsenal youngster on a permanent deal after last season’s record-breaking loan spell – means Steve Bruce has only a few rusty old coppers to play with before tonight’s 11pm deadline.
Mouctar Diakhaby would strengthen Newcastle’s defence
Given the Magpies have conceded eight goals in their first three games of the new Premier League season, throwing away two points on Saturday after a horrible stoppage-time error from Jamaal Lascelles against Southampton, a solid centre-half would be well received.
Now, whether Diakhaby can realistically be described as ‘solid’ is another matter entirely.
The towering Frenchman has struggled to build on his undoubted potential since joining Valencia from Lyon three years ago.
According to Super Deporte, West Ham and Leicester have shown an interest in the £9 million-rated defender too.
But, after the Hammers finally sealed a deal for Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma and following Jannik Vestergaard’s move to the King Power Stadium, Newcastle are now leading the chase for Diakhaby. However, it remains to be seen whether the club is willing or able to stump up the fee Valencia want for the talented but inconsistent 24-year-old.
The report claims Newcastle could make an eight-figure offer for Diakhaby, who is open to joining the Tyneside giants.
Given he is represented by Jorge Mendes, don’t rule out a late bid from a Wolves side also in the market for a centre-half.
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